Stunning Video: 3 Years Of The Sun In 3 Minutes

We all deserve a break from the past week's news. This NASA video could be just the right thing.

According to the space agency, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) "captures a shot of the sun every 12 seconds in 10 different wavelengths." The video features images from the past three years, "at a pace of two images per day."

NASA adds:

"There are several noteworthy events that appear briefly in this video. They include the two partial eclipses of the sun by the moon, two roll maneuvers [by the observatory, as it changes position], the largest flare of this solar cycle, comet Lovejoy, and the transit of Venus. The specific time for each event is listed below, but a sharp-eyed observer may see some while the video is playing.

-- "00:30;24 Partial eclipse by the moon

-- "00:31;16 Roll maneuver

-- "01:11;02 August 9, 2011 X6.9 Flare, currently the largest of this solar cycle

We've called NASA to confirm, but it appears the music is by violinist Martin Lass — "A Lady's Errand of Love." Our thanks to "bouwe schmidt crans" who posted that suggestion in the YouTube comments thread of NASA's video.